Will Hopoate hopes to re-claim a Blues jumper for Origin two.Source: Getty Images

ON the night Will Hopoate arrived in Coffs Harbour as the NSW Blues 19th man ahead of Origin I, Laurie Daley shook the 22-year-old’s hand before carrying the Parramatta star’s bags to his room.

It was an unlikely gesture from the former Blues champion and the current NSW State of Origin coach which unwittingly ensured, that from the moment Hopoate stepped foot inside camp, he knew that this is where he belonged.

Despite picking up a minor shoulder complaint in the Eels two-point win over North Queensland last Friday night, Hopoate remains the frontrunner to be once again checking into the Blues team hotel on Tuesday, but this time as a starting member of the NSW backline.

A man-of-the-match performance on Sunday afternoon from Newcastle’s James McManus appears Hopoate’s only threat of missing out on being announced in Daley’s NSW side for the Origin II blockbuster in Sydney on June 18.

The unavailability of the Blues right wing and right centre in Josh and Brett Morris due to injury has left Daley tossing over a number of candidates to fill their void.

Shifting backrowers Beau Scott or Luke Lewis has been discussed by the NSWRL hierarchy, but the most popular combination as of Saturday was to name the unlikely right edge pairing of St George Illawarra’s Josh Dugan in the centres, with Hopoate on the wing.

Given the magnitude of the match, the Blues greatest chance to break Queensland’s eight-year Origin reign, Daley is reluctant to pluck a rookie or player untested at the elite level, which rules out the likelihood of Canberra centre Jack Whighton or South Sydney’s Dylan Walker earning a call-up.

Despite playing just 12 NRL matches, Hopoate has progressively improved for the Eels to be back among the top echelon of centre-wingers in the game.

The second youngest player ever to represent NSW, behind Blues great Brad Fittler, Hopoate produced a dynamic Origin debut, scoring a try in the 2011 series in his only appearance to date.

Dugan’s anticipated selection in the centres - instead of fullback - for the Blues will come as a surprise to many, but his powerful frame, solid defence and proven performances in all three of his previous appearances in the sky-blue jersey has propelled him towards the front of Daley’s mind.

“Having said that we went with some rookies in game one and it worked out. But I’m conscious of it being a massive game in Sydney and going with guys that have tasted the Origin experience before.

“So at this stage there’s a number of guys in line and we’ll work it out as we go along this weekend.

“Hopoate is a guy that we bought in (as 19th man), he’s a talented player. He’s a guy that has been there before.

“James McManus has been there before, Josh Dugan has been there before and there’s some other guys.

“Jorge Tafua has played a little bit of rep football in the past, Josh Mansour is playing some really good footy for the Panthers, you’ve got Dylan Walker, Jack Wighton and these type of guys who I think will eventually will play Origin, but whether we risk them in this game or not we’re not quite sure.’’

Will Hopoate hopes to play in Origin two.Source: Getty Images

What is clear for Daley is that Jarryd Hayne, who has struck the same blistering form that saw him collect the 2009 Dally M medal, will remain at fullback for NSW.

Greg Bird’s much-anticipated return to the NSW backrow, after missing Origin I due to suspension, will also force a re-shuffle of the Blues pack which captain Paul Gallen anticipates could include him being promoted from lock to the front-row.

That move would then result in Wests Tigers prop Aaron Woods reverting back to the interchange bench where, Canterbury’s Tony Williams is expected to be the casualty for Bird’s return.

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